Zelenskyy says Russian drone strike killed 9 civilians, urges tougher sanctions
ISTANBUL
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday said a Russian drone strike on a bus killed nine people and injured seven others.
“All the deceased were civilians,” Zelenskyy wrote on X, adding: “The Russians could not have failed to understand what kind of vehicle they were targeting.”
The injured are receiving medical treatment for burns, fractures, and blast injuries, he noted.
Zelenskyy condemned Russia for continuing attacks on civilians and reiterated that Ukraine has long offered a “full and unconditional ceasefire.”
“Yesterday (Friday), as on any other day of this war, there was an opportunity to cease fire,” he said.
Referring to the previous day’s peace talks in Istanbul, Zelenskyy criticized the Russian delegation as “weak and unprepared” and claimed it lacked any real mandate for negotiations.
“We are expecting strong sanctions against Russia from the United States, from Europe, and from all our partners,” he said, calling for increased international pressure.
“Diplomacy must start working,” Zelenskyy added. “Peace is essential.”
The remarks came a day after Türkiye hosted the Russian and Ukrainian delegations for renewed talks on ending the war. Kyiv was represented by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, while Moscow sent a team led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky.
Zelenskyy had earlier said the composition of the Russian delegation showed Moscow was “not taking the dialogue seriously.”
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